Transforming Labs Through Ergonomics: Healthier Spaces for Better Science Join Allison Lambert, Category Marketing Manager at E&I Cooperative Services, as she hosts Mark Scelfo, U.S. Managing Director at Bimos—an E&I business partner through LabRepCo—for an insightful discussion on how ergonomics is transforming laboratory environments. From preventing injuries to enhancing researcher well-being and overall lab performance, discover how smarter design and better seating choices can cr...

NOTE: This episode of Cooperatively Speaking features David Wheeler, of Orange County Public Schools, whose recent passing has deeply saddened all who knew him. We share this recording in honor of his legacy, leadership, and the insights he generously offered. With the support of his colleagues and community, E&I Cooperative remembers David with utmost respect and gratitude. E&I Host: Sue Peters, E&I Vice President, K-12 Engagement Guest: David Wheeler, Senior Di...

Join Matt Levine, Category Marketing Manager from E&I, as he hosts Sheila Lehker, President of Cizek Associates to talk about the true costs associated with filling roles with interim hires. As retirements mount and people begin leaving the workforce, higher education has turned to interim staff members to help fill vacancies. Whether this is a strategic move to intentionally fill the role or a financial move to attempt to save dollars, the impact can be felt across a campus. Hear from Sh...

What happens when shared values meet shared vision? In this conversation with Rick Herrmann, VP/GM of Public Sector at Staples Business, we explore the origins of Staples’ sponsorship of E&Is EdPro NextGen Leadership Program and why leadership development in education matters now more than ever. From investing in people, not just products, to preparing future-ready procurement leaders, Rick shares Staples’ commitment to driving meaningful impact in education and where this partnership is ...

In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, Matt Levine is joined by Scott Nostaja from Segal to talk about the current state of higher education finances and the need for universities to determine how to better align their spending during this evolving climate. Tackling this tough conversation, Scott shares insights on common inefficiencies, legacy costs, and external pressures shaping campus budgets, while offering practical strategies for workforce planning, prioritizing resources, and maki...

In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking Allison Lambert speaks with Grant Wicks, Director of Sales at Patterson Veterinary Supply, about how institutions can simplify procurement and elevate veterinary care. From AI tools that deliver radiograph results in minutes to strategic sourcing that reduces administrative burden, Grant reveals how Patterson's partnership with E&I makes it easier than ever for universities to do more with less. With access to over 80,000 SKUs—including thousands ...

As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, supplier inclusion is facing new scrutiny - and new urgency. In this insightful episode of Cooperatively Speaking, Titus Martin sits down with three respected voices in the field—Reginald Layton, Ralph Moore, and Jesse Moore—for a candid and actionable discussion on advancing supplier diversity in higher education and beyond. Together, they explore the business case for supplier inclusion, strategies for navigating today’s complex legal e...

What if the biggest variable in your cell culture experiment isn't what your cells are doing, but what they’re sensing? In this eye-opening episode of Cooperatively Speaking, host Allison Lambert sits down with Dr. Krista Rantanen of Baker to explore a commonly overlooked, but critical, factor in biomedical research: oxygen. They discuss how most human tissues operate at much lower oxygen levels than what’s used in traditional lab settings, and why that matters. From cancer research to stem c...

In the final episode of our three-part “Unlocking AI in Education” series, host Matt Levine reconnects with Microsoft’s Carlos Fernandez to explore how Copilot is transforming everyday productivity. From drafting emails in Outlook to analyzing data in Excel, Carlos walks us through the practical ways Copilot integrates with Microsoft 365 to make faculty and staff more efficient. Hear tips, real-world examples, and onboarding insights that help ease the learning curve and accelerate adoption. ...

In Part 2 of our “Unlocking AI in Education” series, host Matt Levine and Microsoft’s Carlos Fernandez explore the next frontier in AI-enabled transformation: Copilot Agents. Unlike traditional chatbots, these intelligent agents are designed to automate complex, repetitive processes—freeing up time for both students and faculty. Carlos discusses real-world applications, from streamlining course registration to enhancing student services, and shares how even non-technical users can build and c...

In the first episode of our three-part series on Microsoft Copilot, host Matt Levine sits down with Carlos Fernandez, Director Specialist at Microsoft, to explore Copilot Chat - a transformative AI tool reshaping how students and educators engage with content. Carlos shares real-world examples of how institutions are using Copilot to boost student outcomes and enhance teaching strategies. From simplifying research to streamlining faculty workflows, Copilot Chat is making a measurable impact. ...

What does it take to build a resilient cybersecurity strategy in higher education - especially with limited resources and rising threats? Tobey Coffman, Chief Information Security Officer at Ball State University, and Ron Pelletier, founder of Pondurance, share how their partnership grew from a single pen test into a fully managed, 24/7 detection and response program. Together, they break down the real-world challenges campuses face, the tipping point that led Ball State to invest in around-t...

In this episode, Dennis Hyde sits down with legal counsel from the Higher Education Practice Group at Church Church Hittle + Antrim (CCHA) to discuss the legal landscape surrounding federal regulations aimed at preventing sex-based discrimination on college campuses. A key focus of the discussion is the growing impact of pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions in higher education settings. In this podcast, the two Partners at CCHA discuss laws and regulations that apply to pregnancy...

AI is transforming higher education, but at what cost to student privacy? In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, Matt Levine speaks with Chris Uthe, Chief Product Officer at BlackBeltHelp, about how colleges and universities can harness the power of artificial intelligence without compromising the trust at the heart of the student experience. With campuses storing vast amounts of sensitive data, the conversation dives into how institutions can use AI to enhance student support while stayi...

E&I Host: Dennis Hyde, Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services Guest: Adrienne Meador Murray, VP for Equity, Compliance, and Civil Rights Services at D. Stafford & Associates This podcast explores the sweeping changes in Title IX and Title VI enforcement under the new Trump administration, and what those changes mean for higher ed institutions across the country. From landmark Supreme Court decisions to evolving campus policies, we connect the legal history...

E&I Host: David Manz, Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities Guests: Michelle Vincent, National Color & Design Manager, The Pittsburgh Paints Company In this episode, David Manz welcomes Michelle Vincent, a National Color and Design Manager with the Pittsburgh Paints Company, to discuss how color impacts learning in schools and on campus. Color psychology, color theory, primary colors, foundational colors - and how they pertain to creating environments in the education sector, are...

E&I Host: Sue Peters, E&I Vice President K-12 Engagement Guests: Rick Gay, Executive Director of Business Services, Fort Bend ISD and Emily Rosenberg, PaymentWorks Regional Director Payment fraud is an increasing threat to school district budgets—but it doesn’t have to be. In our latest episode of Cooperatively Speaking, we’re joined by Emily Rosenberg of PaymentWorks and Rick Gay of Fort Bend ISD to discuss how districts can proactively protect themselves through smarter vendor onboa...

E&I Host: Dennis Hyde, E&I Category Marketing Manager Guest: Erol Bal, HP Sales Navigator at B&H In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, E&I’s Dennis Hyde is joined by Erol Bal from B&H. B&H sells tens of thousands of computers and laptops to students and schools annually. Erol answers questions about the new Windows 11 upgrade, and points out that Windows 10 will still be operational, but students and faculty will lose important software updates that protect ...

E&I Host: Dennis Hyde, E&I Category Marketing Manager Guest: Jeff Hunt, Partner at Legend Labs In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, E&I’s Dennis Hyde is joined by Jeff Hunt, founder of Legend Labs and author of Brand Under Fire: A New Playbook for Crisis Management in the Digital Age. Legend Labs specializes in branding and campus crisis assessments and management. Jeff discusses how, in today's digital era, local incidents can rapidly escalate into global news. He outlines ...

E&I Host: Matt Levine, E&I Category Marketing Manager Guest: Casey Laurienzo, E&I Vice President of Community Engagement & Education For over 90 years, E&I has championed the power of its membership, ensuring institutions have the resources they need to succeed. As the only member-owned sourcing cooperative dedicated to education, we’re deepening our investment in the field by expanding learning opportunities for members nationwide. In this episode, Matt Levine, E&I Ca...